Pages Home Condolences Meetings/Events Congratulations

Our News August 2013 Vol. 19 no 12

Mollie Taylor Stevenson Jr.has been inducted into The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas! In 1988, her mother and others assisted Mollie in establishing The American Cowboy Museum in Houston. The mission of this museum is to preserve the multicultural history of the west. Thanks to Stevenson, thousands of visitors and school children have learned about contributions of African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, women's history and culture.

The museum conducts heritage tours, picnics, a Historical Traveling Exhibit with oral presenters and a petting zoo. Stevenson and her mother are the first living African-Americans inducted into The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. Stevensonis a member of the Diamond "L" Riding and Roping Club, which is part of the Southwest Trail Riding Assoc./Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and an original member of the Black Land Owners Assoc. She volunteers for FFA and 4-H Clubs, S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, and the World Youth Rodeo Assoc. She is also a member of Windsor Village Church.

Mollie has appeared in numerous radio, television and newspaper interviews, and has been featured as a woman in a nontraditional occupation in such magazines as Texas Highway, Ebony, Essence and others.

After graduating from Jack Yates in 1963, Stevenson was a business major at TSU, a professional model for 15 years, and then returned to the family ranch, one of the oldest black -owned ranches in the U. S. It was more than cattle that made it possible for the Taylor children to go to college. Stevenson’s great grandfather, E. R. Taylor dropped a match in a puddle of suspicious looking water. The match kept burning. The results. By 1922, ten oil derricks had popped up on his property—the beginning of the Pierce Junction oil field.

Stevenson’s great grandmother, Ann, was a slave and her great grandfather fought in the Civil War but race nor differences of opinions could separate them. Mollie is one of the many descendents of their six children. Her father Benjamin Stevenson Sr., football legend at Tuskegee, and her mother Mollie Sr., a Fisk U. graduate, are deceased. Mollie and her husband, Elicious Scott, share the joy of his two daughters and six grandchildren.

Give Mollie a call at 713 433 4441 to congratulate her.

GLOBAL ENERGY FOR THE FUTURE

ChampionTechnologies/CorsiTech has merged with Nalco Energy Services, an Ecolab company, creating a new market leader. The transaction value, including assumed debt was $2.3 billion. Ecolab (ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that protect people and vital resources. With 2012 sales of $12 billion and 41,000 associates, Ecolab delivers comprehensive solutions and on-site service to promote safe food, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy use and improve operational efficiencies for customers in the food, healthcare, energy, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world.

NEW PRINCIPAL AT ALMEDA ELEMENTARY

Max Pope comes to us from Guilford County North Carolina. He has had 30 plus years in the field of education serving in North Carolina and Kentucky. He could retire but he has too much passion to educate to retire to a couch. He shared the same ideas and liked teaching under Dr. Grier, when Grier was the superintendent in North Carolina.

After several years in Guilford County where there are 116 languages spoken, Pope wanted another challenge so he sent in his resume. He assumed he would like to work under the leadership of Grier, who is now the superintendent of HISD. Pope was accepted and on his way to enjoy a Texas summer. “I’ve always liked warm weather,” he says.

Besides warm weather, Pope received a warm welcome from the staff at Almeda. Of course, they are leery of what changes he might want to make, but Pope says the first year he plans to listen and learn and make very few changes. He does strongly believe that every child should have equal access to every opportunity.

“The most important and first step in education is to build a meaningful relationship with a child so that they know you care for them. The next step is the quality of the lessons. Know the children and know what you want them to learn. The greatest wisdom is kindness,” he says.

He learned that as a child growing up in Turkey.

Turkey, North Carolina. He also learned to get along with people. Besides living at home with four siblings, Pope began working with the public when he was ten years old at a produce market. Basically, to Pope, people are good. He likes people is probably why he greets you with a smile.

Hopefully he will like Texas although he has already purchased a home in North Carolina, if he ever really retires. “Born a Tar heel, I will die a Tar heel,” he says.

A Tar heel is a nickname, since the days of the Revolution, given to North Carolina natives because they stick like tar to your heel. Already a lesson in history.

Welcome to Almeda Mr. Pope.

Ed.note. Don't know why I can't get his picture the right size without all the blank space. Sorry.

Election Day is November 5th.

BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT FOR

MADISON FEEDER PATTERN SCHOOLS

August 24, 2013 at Hobby Elementary from 11am to 5pm 1,000 backpacks with school supplies will be passed out on a first come, first serve basis. Food and entertainment for all.

The South Houston Concerned Citizens Coalition is giving Almeda, Petersen, Grissom, Montgomery, Hobby, Windsor Village, and Reagan schools $200 each. They have already given Madison and Dowling approximately $2,500 apiece.

These civic minded citizens meet at the Multi-Center. As a group they are able to bring a lot of attention to this area like a mayor forum on Thursday September 5, 2013, at the Multi-center 3810 West Fuqua. You will be able to meet the candidates for mayor. Right now Annise Parker, Ben Hall, Don Cook, and Eric Dick are in the running.

WALKING DEAD OR ETERNAL LIFE

Are you among the walking dead? Dead to the love, joy, peace and purposes of God? Or have you already received eternal life. The words of Jesus recorded in John 5:24 say, “Truly, truly. I say to you he that hears my word and believes on Him that sent me, has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life.

Paul knew what it meant to pass from death to life. He thought he was serving God when he hunted down Christians, dragging them off to be killed or put in prison. Some Christians had fled to another city, so he got permission to go and arrest them. On the way, he heard the voice of Jesus. Acts 22:7. Immediately, this proud, violent man, whose name was Saul, was changed to the person we know as Paul, who after an encounter with Jesus, risked his life to teach others the truth. His reward: he was beaten, stoned, and thrown in prison several times. While in prison he wrote letters. One of the letters was to the Colossians. In chapter 3 verses 1-3, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, wrote:

If you are risen with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Dead to the temporary and alive to the eternal. Dead to your selfish desires and alive to God. Then you mean it when you pray, “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” because you know this stuff on earth is temporary.

Everyday your body is one day closer to death, but if you know you have eternal life, you are free of the fear of death and willing to accept what ever is God’s purpose for your life. For death cannot separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39. .

Fran Fogercame to Almeda United Methodist Church five years ago to serve as the pastor. Fran has played many roles throughout her life, including being the mother of eleven stepchildren. The death of her 16-year-old child and her husband in 1980 sparked her pursuit of a ministerial career, although the calling was there since she was a teenager. Her great grandfather was a Methodist minister, yet Fran was raised a Presbyterian.

After spending many years as a Health Care Administrator in Houston, she decided to become a full time pastor. Fran says, “I am living proof that you can fulfill any dream. In ministry, I have always focused on the youth because they are our future Christian leaders. I feel the most important part of my job is to deliver meaningful sermons and be a person for people to lean on through visitation and fellowship. My hope is that the Holy Spirit may speak through me, thus leading others to deepen their own relationship with God.”

Fran has played many roles throughout her life, including being the mother of eleven stepchildren when she became the wife of Carl Foger in 1982.

Now she has accepted a role of singing in the Nun’s Chorus in “The Sound of Music” in Kids Backporch Productions in Pearland. Fran always enjoyed singing in church choirs, and was active in drama in high school and college. You can see her Aug. 2nd and 3rd at 7 pm, Aug 4th at 3:30 pm, Aug. 9th and 10th at 7 pm, and Aug 11th at 3:30 pm in the C.A. Nelson Auditorium, 2337 N. Galveston Ave., in Pearland. To purchase tickets, ask Fran, call 281-412-5350, or visit www.kidsbackporchproductions.org

a Russian press release by the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense and Emergencies, US and Russian officials met on June 25, 2013 at the 17th Joint U.S.-Russia Cooperation Committee on Emergency Situations.

In addition to agreeing with FEMA to “exchange experts during joint rescue operations in major disasters,” the Russian E.S.M. will also be providing “security at mass events” in the US.

This suggests that events designated as “National Special Security Events” by the Dept. of Homeland Security: the Super Bowl, international summits, and presidential inaugurations, will now rely partly on Russian authorities to provide security.

HELP STARVING ANIMALS

You’ve seen the heart wrenching ads on TV asking you to contribute to help with the care of neglected animals. Very little of the money sent in actually goes to the care of dogs according to The Cavalry Group, a national organization which defends the Constitutional rights of animal owners and breeders. Instead, ASPCA, PETA, and HSUS are waging a war against so-called “puppy mills.” ASPCA even considers law-abiding dog breeders to be “puppy mills.” Some animal rights activists believe that bringing new, pure-bred dogs into existence is unethical so long as there are dogs in shelters. Thus, they also seek to put law-abiding dog breeders permanently out of business by any means necessary, according to Cavalry.

IT IS ILLEGAL TO VOTE MORE THAN ONCE

Melowese Richardson was sent to prison for five years following her illegal voting conviction.

“This is not a little thing. It’s not a minor thing. This is what our country’s based on – free elections,” Judge Robert Ruehlman told Richardson, a Hamilton County poll worker since 1998, She was convicted of voting twice in the 2012 election and voting in 2008, 2011 and 2012 for her sister, who has been in a coma since 2003. “Anything short of a prison sentence would be an attack on the voting system. As a poll worker, “her job is actually to protect the integrity and sanctity of the voting system,” Assistant Prosecutor Bill Anderson said.

Richardson previously was convicted of threatening to kill a witness in a criminal case against her brother, of stealing, of drunken driving, and of beating someone in a bar fight.

To protect the integrity of the election process, True the Vote is an organization started right here in Houston which trains and equips citizens to take a stand for a free and fair election. To find out more about this grass-root group of citizens go to their website at www.truethevote.org In Spanish www.votohonesto.org

In an effort to prevent voter fraud, Texas law say voters need to have photo identification. A drivers license, passport photo, military photo, concealed handgun certificate are all acceptable. If you don’t have one of those you can get a free ID/photo card from the Department of Public Safety or DPS. You do not need a photo to register to vote which must be done 30 days before an election.

FEED BACK: Don't know how we ever survived as kids hauling hay into tin barns which had to be 130 degrees. When you came out of the barns for water the temp was 100 degrees outside and you actually felt COLD !!! Willie K.

Update on Almeda Seasoned Citizens. Beverly Strauss is the president and Sue Parker is the treasurer. The group meets at the Almeda U. Methodist Church at 10am on the 1st Tue. of the month. All seniors are welcomed.

HEALTH TIP Drinking water at a certain time maximizes its effectiveness on the body: 2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs 1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal -helps digestion 1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure 1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack. Yvonne Ray’s Physician told her that water at bed time will also help prevent night time leg cramps. Your leg muscles are seeking hydration when they cramp and wake you up with a Charlie Horse. Aspirin lasts in your medicine chest for years. When it gets old, it smells like vinegar.

Almeda Moe

Moe decided he needed to get better acquainted with his new son-in-law so he went to the newly weds home.

“Bobby Joe I’d like to share my favorite Bible verse with you,” Moe said. “Now listen to me and I will give you counsel. Exodus 18:19.”

“What a coincidence,” Bobby Joe said. “My favorite verse is just a few verses from yours Exodus 19:27: ‘Moses let his father-in-law depart and he went his way into his own land.’”

BBQ & RAFFLE

The Fresno Volunteer Fire Dept. will have a BBQ September 7th, starting at 11 am. Raffle drawing for two rifles will be at 1pm. Tickets available now for the raffle. Call 281-431-2451 for more info.

According to Al Green’s staff he will not have any town hall meetings.

Commissioner Richard Morrison, Precinct 1, will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting in Fresno on August 1st at the Mustang Community Center located at 4525 FM 521 North from 6:30 P.M. till 8:00P.M. He will be discussing any concerns that the residents of Precinct 1 may have.

8411 Sienna Springs Blvd in Missouri City, presents a variety of free children’s programs -- Mother Goose Time, Toddler Time, Story Time, and School-Age Programs -- every month. These programs are free and open to the public. The new fall schedule will resume during the 3rd week in August.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL RESOURCES

Learn all about materials and services for students at a special program, “Back-to-School Resources at the Library,” on Tuesday, August 13, beginning at 10:00 am, in the Computer Lab Library staff will provide an overview of the online databases – many of which can be accessed from a home computer -- that are available for students. These databases contain helpful, reliable information on a variety of subjects, including literature, science, writing, and math. Those attending the class will learn about the library’s online Homework Help service (Brainfuse), Free but reservations are required. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Calendar,” select “Sienna Branch,” and find the program. You may also register by calling 281-238-2952. .

About Me

I was born in Almeda where my grandparents and some great grandparents settled. I started writing a history of the area for the South Post Oak Press and then decided I could write my own paper in 1994 after I had written a book, Back Yonder In Almeda. Then my son, James fixed me up with a blog so I could put Our News on the web.
Our News now reaches down to Fresno and Arcola.